Elbow locking device

ABSTRACT

A device for releasably locking a person&#39;&#39;s elbow against bending, having a pair of hingedly connected shells adapted to be mounted on the user&#39;&#39;s upper arm and forearm. A bendable slide is mounted on one of said shells and is slidably carried in a guide on the other of said shells. Locking means are engagable with the slide for releasably locking it in position in the guide and thereby releasably locking the shells and the user&#39;&#39;s arm against bending.

United States Patent Guedel l [451 Oct. 17, 1972 [541 ELBOW LOCKING DEVICE 2,012,488 8/1935 Van Dalsem ..128/88 72 Inventor: Arthur R. Guedei, Indianapolis, Ind. 3,288,468 "/1966 Cunmllgham X Assigneei Guedel l y, Inc. Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp [22] Filed; May 21, 1971 Attorney-Trask, Jenkins & Hanley [21] -Appl. No.: 145,700 57 ABSTRACT A device for releasably locking a persons elbow [52] US. Cl. ..l28/77, 273/ 54 B, 273/189 A, against bending, h i a pair-of hingedly connected 28/88 shells adapted to be mounted on the user's upper arm [51] 1].. Cl. 5/10 and forearm. A bendable slide is mounted on one of [58] Flew of Search 8 273/ said shells-and is slidably carried in a guide on the other of said shells. Locking means are engagable with the slide for releasably locking it in position in the [56] References cued guide and thereby releasably locking the shells and the UNITED STATES PATENTS v users am against bending- 859,962 I 7/1907 Messersmith ..l28/88 13 Claims, 6 Drawing; Figures PATENTED 17 3,698,389

SHEEI 1 BF 2 NVENTOR F1 .2 ARTH R. GUEDEL BY 6 a ATTORNEYS PATENTEDUBI 17 1972 SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR 78 ARTHUR R. GUEDEL TOR NEYS ELBOW LOCKING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Devices for controlling the positioning of the elbows of golfers, bowlers, orthopedic patients, and the like are well known in the art as evidenced by US. Pat. Nos. l,457,7l0, 3,000,633, and 1,374,l77. Such devices, however, are not easily manipulatable by the user in that he can not quickly and easily adjust the angle at which the device positions the elbow or quickly and easily release the device so that the elbow is freely swingable. t

It is an object of the instant invention to provide a device for releasably locking a persons elbow against bending, which can be easily and comfortably mounted on the users arm, and which can be easily and quickly manipulated to permit the users elbow to bend freely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one form of the invention, there is provided a pair of shells adapted to fit on the users upper arm and forearm and movable between an extended rectilinearly oriented position and a retracted angularly oriented position. A bendable slide is mounted on one of said shells and is slidably carried in a guide on the other of said shells. Said slide is releasably engagable with a locking assembly on said other of said shells for releasably retaining said slide in a fixed position in said guide for releasably retaining the shells, and thus the users upper arm and forearm, in the desired position with respect to each other.

Conveniently, a brace is slidably carried on said one shell and projects outwardly therefrom to support the users hand and restrict the bending movements of his wrist. Said brace is provided with a connector for connecting the other end of said brace to the users hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 7

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an elbow locking device embodying the invention and showing said device mounted on a users arm;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section similar to FIG. 2, but showing the device in an extended locked position;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation of the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 5--5 ofFIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal section similar to FIG. 2, but showing a modified form of the locking assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in the drawings, the invention comprises a pair of shells l and 12 having arcuate cross-sections and adapted to be mounted on the users upper arm 13 also connected to the concave face of the shell adjacent its connection shell 12. A plurality of fastening straps 22 are mounted on the outer shells faces, by rivets 23, for connecting the shells to users arm. Thus, the pads 17 and 18 are received against the users upper arm 13 and forearm 14, respectively, with the elastic sleeve 20 being received around the users elbow. As shown in FIG. 1, with the device mounted on the users arm, the pins 16 will be positioned adjacent the elbow such that the shells and the upper and forearms swing about parallel axes.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an elongated flattened strut is connected to the concave inner face of shell 10 as by pins 26. The strut 25 is interposed between said shell and the pad 17, but is spaced from said shell so as to form therewith an elongated guide channel indicated at 28. In a like manner, an elongated flattened strut 32 is also connected to the inner face of shell 12 between the pad 18 and said shell. The strut 32 is mounted in spaced relation to the inner face of shell 12 by pins 34 so that said strut and inner shell face form a longitudinally extending guide channel indicated at 35. For reasons that will become more apparent hereinafter, an elongated slot :is formed in the shell 10 in longitudinal alignment with the guide channel 28.

A slide 37 formed from a bendable material, such as for example spring steel, is fixedly connected at one of its ends to the shell 12. To this end, one end of the slide 37 is received in the guide channel 35 and fixedly connected thereto, as by rivets 40. The opposite end of the slide 37 is slidably carried within the guide channel 28, and is movable within said channel upon swinging movement of the shells about the axis of the pins 16. A longitudinally extending slot 42 in the slide 37 is slidable along one of the pins 26, said pin guiding the sliding movements of said slide in the guide channel 28.

As shown in FIG. 3, a lug 45 having a rearwardly sloping forward face 46 is mounted on the end of the slide 37 opposite shell 12. Said lug, which projects outwardly through the slot 30, to further help guide the movement of the slide, is releasably engagable with a locking assembly on shell 10 for releasably locking the shells l0 and 12 against swinging movement with respect to each other. Said locking assembly is formed by a yoke 48 comprising a pair of laterally spaced legs 50 disposed on opposite sides of the slot 30. The inner ends of the legs 50 are interconnected by a transverse bridge 52 extending across the slo t30. Each of the legs 50 has a longitudinally extending slot 54, and a set screw 56 extends through each of said slots and is connected to the shell 10. As shown :in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lug 45 is disposed in abutting engagement with the bridge 52 for locking the shells 10 and 12 in the desired position of angular adjustment with respect to each other. Thus, the slots and screws .54 and 56 permit the yoke 48 to be longitudinally adjusted with respect to the shell 10 for controlling the angular positionof the shells at which the lug 45 and bridge 52 achieve locking.

A spring 60 is mounted on the outer face of the bridge 52 in alignment with the slot 30. Said spring projects outwardly beyond the bridge 52, and an inwardly directed head 63 is mounted thereon. Thus, when the spring 60 is depressed inwardly, the head 63 will engage lug 45 to disengage it from the bridge 52 so that the slide 37 is free to move within the guide channel 28.

When the device is used by a bowler, it is desirable to also restrain the bending movements of the users wrist 65. To this end, a brace 68 is adjustably mounted on the shell 12 and projects outwardly from the end of said shell opposite shell 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the brace, which is slidably received in the guide channel 35, has a longitudinally extending slot 70. A bolt 72 mounted on strut 32 projects outwardly through the slot 70 and an opening in shell 12 for reception in a lock nut 75. Thus, the brace 68 is slid into the desired position of longitudinal adjustment with respect to' shell 12, and is bindably retained in position by tightening the nut 75 on screw 72.

. A transverse yoke 78 extends across the outer end of the brace 68 for supportingly engaging the outer face of the users hand adjacent his knuckles. An elastic band 80 is mounted on the inner face of the yoke 78 for reception around a pair of the users fingers for connecting the outer end of brace 68 to the users hand.

Thus, in the operation of the device shown in FIGS. l5, the yoke 48 is longitudinally adjusted on the shell such that the slide 37 will lock the shells in an extended rectilinear orientation. The shells are then placed on the users arm by inserting his arm through the sleeve and fastening the straps 22. The brace 68 is also adjusted to a position such that the yoke 78 will properly engage the users hand, and the band 80 is disposed around the users fingers. With the device so mounted, as the users arm is swung into a straightened position,.the slide 37 will slide in the guide channel 28 with the angled face 46 of lug 45 depressing said slide in the channel to permit the lug to slide under and engage the bridge 52. With the lug 45 engaging the bridge 52, as shown in FIG. 3, the shells 10 and 12 will thus be locked in rectilinear orientation and thereby prevent the users elbow from bending. In order to release the slide and thus permit swinging movement of the shells and the users elbow, it is merely necessary to depress the spring 60 so that its head 63 depresses the lug 45 and causes it to clear the bridge 52, whereupon the slide 37 will be free to move along the guide channel 28.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5 solely in the structure for locking the shells against swinging movement. The locking achieved in this embodiment is more rigid and less manipulatable than that shown in FIGS. 1-5, and is therefore better suited for use when the device is employed as an orthopedic appliance.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 eliminates the yoke 48, and substitutes therefor, a bolt 85 mounted on the strut and projecting outwardly through the slide slot 42 and an opening in the shell 10. The outer end of said bolt is received in a locking nut 87. The nut 87 is adapted to be drawn up on the bolt 85 to bind against the outer face of shell 10 to bindingly retain slide 37 in a fixed position in the guide channel 28. It will thus be understood that the bolt and nut combination 85 and 87 locks the slide 37 in the desired position of adjustment in the same manner that the bolt and nut combination 72 and 75 locks the brace 68 in position in the embodiment shown in FIGS. l-S.

I claim:

I. A device for releasably looking a persons elbow against bending, comprising a pair of shells adapted to be mounted on the users upper arm and forearm,

means swingably interconnecting the adjacent ends of said shells, guide means on one of said shells, a bendable slide fixedly mounted on the other of said shells and slidably carried in said guide means, lock means on said one shell for releasably retaining said slide in a fixed position in said guide means for releasably retaining said shells in the desired position of adjustment with respect to each other, and means on said shells for mounting them on the users arm.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 with the addition that said shells have arcuate cross-sections, padding means are mounted on the concave faces of said shells, and an elastic sleeve is connected at one of its ends to one of said shells.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 with the addition that a brace is mounted on said other of said shells and projects outwardly therefrom at its end opposite said one of said shells.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in which said brace is longitudinally adjustable with respect to said other of said shells.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in which said other of said shells is provided with guide means, said brace is slidably carried in said guide means on said other of said shells, and means are provided on said other of said shells for releasably locking said brace in the desired position of adjustment.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 3 with the addition that a transverse wing extends across the outer end of said brace, and means are mounted on said wing for connecting the outer end of said brace to the user.

7. A device for releasably locking a persons elbow against bending, comprising first and second shells adapted to be mounted on the users upper arm and forearm respectively, means swingably interconnecting the adjacent ends of said shells, an elongated strut connected to the inner face of said shell in spaced relation thereto, a bendable slide connected to said second shell and slidably received between said strut and first shell, a yoke mounted on the outer face of said first shell, a lug on said slide longitudinally slidable in a slot in said first shell and adapted to engage said yoke for retaining said shells in the desired angular orientation, means for disengaging said lug from said yoke, and means on said shells for mounting them on the users upper arm and forearm.

8. The invention as set. forth in claim 7 in which said yoke is longitudinally adjustable on said first shell.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 7 in which said yoke comprises a pair of legs connected to said first shell on opposite sides of said slot and interconnected by a transverse bridge, said bridge extending across said slot and being engagable with said lug, and said means for disengaging said lug comprises a release spring mounted on said bridge and movable into engagement with said lug.

10. The device as set forth in claim 9 with the addition that said legs are provided with longitudinally extending slots, and fastening means connected to said first shell extend through said slots for adjustably mounting said yoke on said first shell.

11. A device for releasably locking a persons elbow against bending, comprising first and second shells adapted to be mounted on the users upper arm and forearm respectively, means swingably interconnecting gated struts connected to the inner faces of said first and second shells respectively in spaced relation thereto, a bendable slide connected at one of its ends between said second strut and second shell and slidably carried between said first strut and" first shell, lock means on said first shell releasably retaining said slide in fixed position between said first strut and first shell for releasably retaining said shells in the desired position of adjustment with respect to each other, a brace slidably carried between said second strut and second shell and projecting outwardly from the end of said second shell opposite said first shell, means for releasably retaining said brace in fixed position with respect to said second shell, and means on said shells for mounting them on the users upper arm and forearm.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 with the addition that said brace has a longitudinally extending slot formed therein, said means for releasably retaining the brace in position comprises a bolt projecting outwardly from said second strut through said slot and second shell and a nut received on said screw, and means are provided on said brace for connecting the outer end of I against bending, comprising first and second shells adapted to be mounted on the users upper arm and forearm, means swingably interconnecting the adjacent ends of said shells, first and second guide means on said first and second shells, respectively, a slide fixedly connected to said second guide means and slidably carried in said first guide means, lock meanson said first shell for releasably retaining said slide in a fixed position in said first guide means, a brace slidably carried in said second guide means and projecting outwardly from said second shell, lock means on said second shell releasably locking said brace in fixed position in said second guide means, and means for mounting said shells on the users arm. 

1. A device for releasably locking a person''s elbow against bending, comprising a pair of shells adapted to be mounted on the user''s upper arm and forearm, means swingably interconnecting the adjacent ends of said shells, guide means on one of said shells, a bendable slide fixedly mounted on the other of said shells and slidably carried in said guide means, lock means on said one shell for releasably retaining said slide in a fixed position in said guide means for releasably retaining said shells in the desired position of adjustment with respect to each other, and means on said shells for mounting them on the user''s arm.
 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 with the addition that said shells have arcuate cross-sections, padding means are mounted on the concave faces of said shells, and an elastic sleeve is connected at one of its ends to one of said shells.
 3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 with the addition that a brace is mounted on said other of said shells and projects outwardly therefrom at its end opposite said one of said shells.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in which said brace is longitudinally adjustable with respect to said other of said shells.
 5. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in wHich said other of said shells is provided with guide means, said brace is slidably carried in said guide means on said other of said shells, and means are provided on said other of said shells for releasably locking said brace in the desired position of adjustment.
 6. The invention as set forth in claim 3 with the addition that a transverse wing extends across the outer end of said brace, and means are mounted on said wing for connecting the outer end of said brace to the user.
 7. A device for releasably locking a person''s elbow against bending, comprising first and second shells adapted to be mounted on the user''s upper arm and forearm respectively, means swingably interconnecting the adjacent ends of said shells, an elongated strut connected to the inner face of said shell in spaced relation thereto, a bendable slide connected to said second shell and slidably received between said strut and first shell, a yoke mounted on the outer face of said first shell, a lug on said slide longitudinally slidable in a slot in said first shell and adapted to engage said yoke for retaining said shells in the desired angular orientation, means for disengaging said lug from said yoke, and means on said shells for mounting them on the user''s upper arm and forearm.
 8. The invention as set forth in claim 7 in which said yoke is longitudinally adjustable on said first shell.
 9. The invention as set forth in claim 7 in which said yoke comprises a pair of legs connected to said first shell on opposite sides of said slot and interconnected by a transverse bridge, said bridge extending across said slot and being engagable with said lug, and said means for disengaging said lug comprises a release spring mounted on said bridge and movable into engagement with said lug.
 10. The device as set forth in claim 9 with the addition that said legs are provided with longitudinally extending slots, and fastening means connected to said first shell extend through said slots for adjustably mounting said yoke on said first shell.
 11. A device for releasably locking a person''s elbow against bending, comprising first and second shells adapted to be mounted on the user''s upper arm and forearm respectively, means swingably interconnecting the adjacent ends of said shells, first and second elongated struts connected to the inner faces of said first and second shells respectively in spaced relation thereto, a bendable slide connected at one of its ends between said second strut and second shell and slidably carried between said first strut and first shell, lock means on said first shell releasably retaining said slide in fixed position between said first strut and first shell for releasably retaining said shells in the desired position of adjustment with respect to each other, a brace slidably carried between said second strut and second shell and projecting outwardly from the end of said second shell opposite said first shell, means for releasably retaining said brace in fixed position with respect to said second shell, and means on said shells for mounting them on the user''s upper arm and forearm.
 12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 with the addition that said brace has a longitudinally extending slot formed therein, said means for releasably retaining the brace in position comprises a bolt projecting outwardly from said second strut through said slot and second shell and a nut received on said screw, and means are provided on said brace for connecting the outer end of said brace to the user.
 13. A device for releasably locking a person''s elbow against bending, comprising first and second shells adapted to be mounted on the user''s upper arm and forearm, means swingably interconnecting the adjacent ends of said shells, first and second guide means on said first and second shells, respectively, a slide fixedly connected to said second guide means and slidably carried in said first guide means, lock means on said first shell for releasably retaining said slide in a fixed positioN in said first guide means, a brace slidably carried in said second guide means and projecting outwardly from said second shell, lock means on said second shell releasably locking said brace in fixed position in said second guide means, and means for mounting said shells on the user''s arm. 